How to Find a Facial Surgeon

Your face is unique and an undeniably precious asset. So it automatically follows that, before you let any surgeon come at it with a scalpel in hand, you’ll want to have done your research and tried your hardest to ensure that whoever reshapes your nose or forehead is trustworthy. What does finding the right cosmetic facial surgeon imply? Here are some areas to look into before making your pick.

The Certification Safety Net

A valuable baseline indicator of your facial plastic surgeon’s skills is his or her certification. Take a long, hard look at his or her credentials. Is he or she a member of well-respected national surgical societies? And, more importantly, is he or she certified by a legitimate established board? Certification can also vouch for your surgeon’s technical expertise specifically in the areas of facial plastic surgery—to be a great general surgeon is not a good indicator of a great plastic surgeon. Look for a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a designation that indicates years of specialized training.

Think Local or Think Global?

There are two ways to tackle the question of location when you search for a facial cosmetic surgeon. One possibly is to narrow your options to local surgeons. Many patients choose this option to avoid the complications of travel and accommodations, especially during the delicate healing process that follows facial surgery.

Others choose to think on a national scale. In order to go under the knife of the most renowned and experienced facial surgeons out there, these patients are willing to travel across the country and absorb the expenses. When you make your decision, remember that neither of these solutions is the “right” one—it all depends on your circumstances. Keep in mind, however, that prices among different surgeons can vary greatly for facial plastic surgery. Do your research beforehand and look for general patterns in cost.

Photographic Evidence

In the case of facial cosmetic surgery, it’s all about how the end product looks. Never commit to a surgeon without first taking a look at how his or her previous operations have turned out. A good surgeon should be willing and able to supply potential patients with plenty of photographs. You should use this opportunity to get a feel for the limits of your surgeon’s work, as well as his or her ability to accommodate specific requests. Seeing really is believing.

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

With a procedure as delicate as facial surgery, you should walk into the operating table as well-informed as you can possibly be. During preliminary consultations, don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon as many question as you can think of. Some good inquiries to start off with include: what facilities will be used, who will be assisting in the procedure, what are the risks and potential complications involved, what is the success rate among previous patients, how long will the recovery time be, how long are the results expected to last, what kind of post-op care is available, and what kind of financing options are available? You should be completely comfortable presenting any and all questions to your surgeon—only then will you be able to make a final decision.